Amiodarone after effects

[soberhoumom]

I stopped Amiodarone a little over two months ago. How long will it take for it to come out of my system?

[BobD Volunteer]

Three to six months or more I am told.

[CDreamer]

It’s a very long time and can be individual - I think but others more knowledgeable will no doubt chip in - up to 6 months to completely clear your system but the effects of the drug last a few weeks.

[soberhoumom in reply to CDreamer]

My legs are killing me. I can barely walk up a flight of stairs. I don't wheeze too much anymore. I just want to feel better!

[bennie06 in reply to CDreamer]

I've been told 58 days. Seems like a roulette spin for an answer.

[doodle68 in reply to bennie06]

This is what NICE have to say....

''Amiodarone has a long half-life; there is potential for drug interactions to occur for several weeks (or even months) after treatment with it has been stopped.''

bnf.nice.org.uk/drug/amioda...

[bennie06 in reply to doodle68]

I had better tell my cardio that he is wrong. Um.

[doodle68 in reply to bennie06]

I quoted the NICE guidelines on AF to the cardiologist's assistant when I attended the arrhythmia clinic recently and the person quite clearly had no idea what is in them

[Maagaa]

3 to 6 months but are you bing replaced with different medication.? My EP took me off amiodarone one month ago but seeing him on Monday and we wil be discussing another medication to take along with my 800mg of magnesium, he is a wonderful and highly respected EP in the US and has kept me in normal sinus rhythm for over one year. Research and ask what your options are. Good Luck

[soberhoumom in reply to Maagaa]

I had to get off the Amiodarone because the side effects were horrible. I couldn't be in the sun, weight gain, rosacia, etc. I had to be put back on blood thinners because I still go into A-Fib (often). I think I will ask him to send me to the EP because these bouts of arrhythmia really bother me.

[mishugenah in reply to Maagaa]

Post ablation and 2 cardioversions in the past 6 months and my Amiodarone dose was cut in half (I've only had one "attack") since the second cardioversion in March. I'm hoping to be taken off my maintenance dose in October - this pill has been in my system daily since 2010. Good luck to you!

[Maagaa]

Where are you located? If you are in the US I can maybe refer you to a good Electrophysiologist as I really have done my homework and the one I use is wonderful. Get back to me soberhoumom might be able to help especially if you are in the area of NY

[soberhoumom in reply to Maagaa]

I'm in Houston. My cardiologist will send me to his friend. I have to have a referral because I have an HMO

[mishugenah in reply to soberhoumom]

I'm in Galveston and went to Houston Arrythmia for my ablation - If you'd like the name of the EP let me know - you may be able to get your internist to give you a referral to him and to Memorial Hermann where he practices

[Rebma in reply to Maagaa]

Good Morning. I am in USA and in NJ. Would love information on cardiologist and EP. I am looking for a second opinion. Had abliation and cardioverdion a day apart. Thank you

[Maagaa in reply to Rebma]

Good Morning Remba Look up for cardiologists The practices of Rockland Cardiology they practice out of Good Samaritan Hospital in Suffern Ny. For Electrophysiology Drs Zimmerman or Radaslovich practicing out of Hackensack Medical. Good Luck

[Rebma in reply to Maagaa]

Thank you so much.

[Maagaa in reply to Rebma]

Hi Remba just got back from Dr Radaslovich at Hackensack Medical. Told him I gave you his name to look up and he said he was delighted and would look forward to seeing you. He and I decided my best course of treatment after coming off amiodarone is a pacemaker. Went over all possible meds and after a long discussion we both thought the best solution for me is a pacemaker before amiodarone totally leaves my body and I flip into AFIB. I love that man and you will be very much at ease with yourself if you see him. Good Luck and let me know the outcome.

[Rebma in reply to Maagaa]

Thank you so much. I will contact him. This AFIB is no picnic. Stay well and will let you know.

[seasider18]

Earlier reports on Amiodarone say that the side effects had been missed, for the most part, because they were so unusual and unexpected and because their onset tended to be insidious and late.

verywellhealth.com/the-stra...

[bennie06 in reply to seasider18]

The sources of this article are taken from 1976. Yes, as with any drug, there are side effects but with respect i suggest that these are now detected by blood tests. Perhaaps in the early days inadequate monitoring resulted in unfortunate consequences but i find the constant "anti Amiodarone " theme on this forum, totally unnecessary.

.

[seasider18 in reply to bennie06]

Were you monitored? Are you still taking it ? I'm in England and certainly wasn't monitored and monitoring will not show damage that can potentially occur even after the drug has been stopped. First time I took it for about six months and the second time for about four months. In the late 90's a friend was told after having a pacemaker fitted that he would have to take it for life. That eventually was the only time he did not follow medical advice.

The second time I was prescribed it I was already taking warfarin and my INR went from 2.4 to 3.9 in about a week. Neither the assistant registrar who insisted I take or I could not have a cardioversion, the INR nurse or my GP knew that warfarin dosage should be halved if Amiodarone was later prescribed.

I had to search that information for myself. When I asked the pharmacist why she had not warned me she said that she thought everyone knew that.

[Maagaa in reply to bennie06]

Just read this from Bennie evidently he has never been on Amiodorone or not long enough for symptoms to arise this is not 1976 news this is recent from respected Electrophysiologists numbness calcium deposits in the eyes thyroid problems lung toxicity if he is on this med he needs to research a little more throughly

[bennie06 in reply to Maagaa]

With respect i am aware of the possible side effects and am having blood tests every four months and will be on this medication in the short term. Apologies if i misunderstood the date at the end of the article and will continue to be advised by my medical professionals. So far and touching wood and crossing everything i have had no significant side effects. Currently on Amiodarone and Bisoporol. Good luck.

[Maagaa in reply to bennie06]

Glad to hear it is short term when I saw my neurologist for numbness in feet he stressed that amiodarone is toxic and called it as poisonous as heavy duty chemo. It worked wonders and Im out of AFIB now for a year but side effects horrible. So happy you are on top of your treatment and I wish you the best

[seasider18 in reply to bennie06]

Another painful side effect (for men only) from Amiodarone is epididymitis a painful swelling of the testicles.

[ILowe]

How long will it take to come out of your system? That depends on what you decide you mean by out of your system. The language used is that of half life. I remember reading somewhere that there is a rule of thumb that three half lives (which means one eighth left in your system), and you can consider a drug, to all effect and purposes, as finished. There are various estimates for this half life, such as elimination half-life58 day (range 15-142 day). Another source gave for Oral chronic therapy: Mean range: 40 to 55 days (range: 26 to 107 days). Not clear at all. drugs.com/ppa/amiodarone.html

I would warn any doctor/dentist I saw that I had been on Amiodarone for a year or so after stopping.

Are you taking warfarin? I was able to estimate the half life for myself as 12-14 weeks based on dose changes needed and it took me 3-4 half lives to be back to normal. Are you taking a beta blocker or flecainide? Reduced dosage is needed, and the question is for how long

[soberhoumom in reply to ILowe]

Yes I'm taking Eliquis and I've been on Metropolol (100mg) for three years. I was started on Amiodarone in the hospital almost three years ago. I was on 400mg and then cut back to 200mg after four months.

[ILowe]

I would ask your doctor about interactions. See drugs.com/interactions-chec... for instance

[Amcech]

My EP said it has a half life. I took amiodarone for 7 months so to expect 3 1/2 months for it to be out of my system. It's been almost 2 months and some of the physical symptoms have drastically reduced, I have not had any blood tests to check my levels. My glucose, cholesterol levels went up after being on amio for one month and my blood pressure. My blood pressure is back to normal now, so I know it was the amio that caused the increase.

[ILowe]

I hate to say this, but that is not how half lives work. You do not count how long you have been on Amiodarone. You can be on it two months or two years, that figure is largely irrelevant. The half life means that half of the medicine should be out of your system. Because half the drug levels still mean the drug is still there, the rule of thumb is three half lives, half of a half of a half, which makes one eighth. If your half live is ten weeks, then three half lives makes 30 weeks. Now, some interactions will be minimal after only one half life, others could still be there even after three half lives.

You think that amiodarone caused higher blood pressure. From what I have seen that is very unlikely. "In addition to being an antiarrhythmic medication, amiodarone also causes blood vessels to dilate (enlarge). This effect can result in a drop in blood pressure". medicinenet.com/amiodarone/...